Why do I like Saints Row, and not GTA? (an objective analysis)

My first blog in a little over than a year, and it's going to be about video games in a forum about writing. I'm not sure whether that's typical or ironic. At any rate, I felt like discussing this objectively. Let's begin.

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In short, I have the entire Saints Row series from the first to the fourth, and Grand Theft Auto V. Yet while I could easily play Saints Row, I feel dirty playing Grand Theft Auto V. I feel as if I'm doing something wrong, something I shouldn't be doing. I feel unclean. This to me, is weird and hypocritical on my part. Why would I feel bad for playing Grand Theft Auto, yet not feel a thing playing Saints Row? As I explain this, I will break it down into the basic chunks of storytelling:

(The Characters)
You play an undeniably evil main character who effectively does bad things to further his/her (in the case of Saints Row) agenda. You're a criminal in those games, plain and simple. You're not going to find Michael de Santa from Grand Theft Auto V or the Boss from the Saints Row games running an orphanage and donating to charity. In fact, it would be much more like them to find an orphan more likely to fall in tune with their gig and adopt them as their apprentice. (Which is kinda what happened when Michael found Franklin, only Franklin wasn't in an orphanage. Michael even outright told Franklin, "You're like the son I wish I had.")
They're both the last people you would want to meet in real life. Their motivation for their wrongdoings? Michael at least has an excuse to justify it. The Boss? In his/her own words: "This is my city (...) We do whatever the *bleep* we want."

When you think about it, the Boss is a much more disgusting character than Michael. Michael changes during the course of Grand Theft Auto V. He learns to be a better husband, a better father, and even becomes *SPOILERSPOILERSPOILER*a producer*SPOILERSPOILERSPOILER* The Boss is...pretty much the same as he/she was in the start: a power-hungry individual, that's it. The only good thing I can say about this is that Saints Row lets you play as a female, whereas you're stuck as a male in the Grand Theft Auto games, whether you like it or not.

On the whole, Michael (and to a lesser extent, Franklin) are better characters as they have justifications (wrong or not) as to why they're doing what they do. Were this any other game, they would make good antagonists. They're not evil for the sake of evil, they've got reasons that, if anything else, makes perfect sense for them. Why did I leave Trevor out? Because according to the developers, he's just a parody of the average Grand Theft Auto player, so he doesn't count.

(The Controversies)Saints Row has had its fair share of controversies, but the big ones that I remember are the ones from Grand Theft Auto. Maybe this is one of the few reasons I don't like to play Grand Theft Auto, because I've heard nothing but bad things about this game before I bought the fifth game? I went in knowing full well the controversies lobbed at Grand Theft Auto, so maybe perhaps I feel like I'm doing something wrong whenever I play this game. After all, if you spent your life having authority figures telling you that a specific game, or a book, or a musical genre is bad, and you want to check it out, you might feel weird doing it.
Which is odd, because isn't Saints Row effectively Grand Theft Auto's oddball cousin? There's even a running gag between the two series where they poke fun at each other, examples including Johnny Gat from Saints Row being a parody of the typical Grand Theft Auto character, and a level in Grand Theft Auto V making fun of Saints Row IV where you fight aliens in a *purple fog*. My point is, if Saints Row isn't making me feel weird, then why is playing Grand Theft Auto V doing that to me?

(The Humor)
OK, OK, so this is probably the biggest reason I may have trouble playing Grand Theft Auto V. It's the humor, and it doesn't really appeal to me. That, or I just don't really know how to take it in.

In short, Grand Theft Auto is a satire on American society as a whole, and without fail, someone's throwing in a satire left and right. There's satire in even the little details, such as the gravestones in the cemetery in Grand Theft Auto V with the phrase 'Quiet, isn't it?' written at the base of most of the gravestones, probably alluding to the stereotype that Americans are often extremely loud.

Now, here's the thing. I play a game to escape reality, not to have a game barrage me with political commentaries and satire over and over again. If I want that, I'll watch Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart. If a game does that, I find it annoying.

But here's the ironic part. Saints Row does that as well! If I look closely enough, there are things that parodies and satire things in real life as well. So why is it OK to me if Saints Row does it, and not Grand Theft Auto V? Is it because it's more low-keyed? After all, Saints Row is more about fighting rival gangs, so maybe that's why. Grand Theft Auto exists as a satire, a parody. That's its entire point. It's like Colbert and Stewart if they were in a videogame! With that said...

Am I just taking it too personally, thinking the game is directly insulting me? Do I just not understand the offensive jokes and their existence in the game (like the stereotypical feminists, for example.) Do I just not understand what satire is? Or maybe I'm taking it a little too seriously? Maybe I should really be using this game as a way to laugh at myself? After all, they say that a well-adjusted mind is a mind that's willing to laugh at itself.

Thing is, I want to be able to enjoy Grand Theft Auto just as much as I enjoy Saints Row. I want to be able to play it without having that weird feeling in the back of my mind that I'm somehow doing something wrong, or something's not right here. Though I don't play either game all that much anyway (considering a re-play of Red Dead Redemption and weaning myself from Skyrim) I would like to be able to play Grand Theft Auto V without having the icky feeling in my stomach.

I like Saints Row over GTA too, because Saints Row still remembers it's a game, and still focuses on keeping at least major parts of it fun. Also, GTAV ... not only was it deeply unpleasant without justification, it was also so darn boring too!

That's one of the main reasons I like Saints Row, it knows it's a game. It doesn't try to be a political commentator like Grand Theft Auto. It focuses more on the story (well, the last two are debatable) than anything else.

Lemex, it's interesting you think GTAV was boring but you like Saints Row...I bought Saints Row two Christmases ago for a friend of mine because I thought he'd like it, but we both hated it! I thought it was completely silly in a really boring, OTT way. I got bored with the action over-load which is weird. My friend traded it in shortly after.

I very much enjoyed GTAV because of the beautifully realised open world of Los Santos...Say what you like about the unpleasant aspects of the game - the violence, sexism etc - but the city that you travel in is unbelievably detailed and expansive...The graphics are perfect, and the attention to detail is amazing. I can understand why people would be offended at the content of GTA...But, it's GTA, it's notorious for that reason. If you go out and buy that game you know exactly what you're getting into.

As for the humour. I chuckled many times at what was being said on the radio, in particular Weasel news. That is trademark GTA...Yes, it lampoons American life but it doesn't take itself too seriously as a social commentary. I mean, the comments that it makes are not exactly too subtle. They're actually quite blatant and obvious. GTA has the ability to laugh at itself, as well as aspects of life that it is commenting on.

But I'm no solid debater or anything but here is my view of GTA vs Saints Row.

I prefer GTA over Saints Row by a very massive margin like I think GTA blows Saints Row away.

Why?

To be honest I can’t really explain that so good I've just enjoyed the story and characters and gameplay in every GTA game with the exception of Liberty City Stories. I like that GTA has such dark and bleak look about America and I don’t think you’re wrong for feeling unclean playing it.

They are dark games.....a lot darker then Saints Row (if we stacked them all up pretty GTA has more just ....messed up moments) where as I think Saints Row's darkest was Saints Row 2, well that one is actually my personal fav of that series.

I like that GTA characters have motivations and their stories have always appealed to me more then the character guy in SR.

But GTA V seems to be the focus here, so I'll touch on that best I can. Like I said I like that the game is a political commentary and satire and its perfect the way it is.

Of course perfect is very debatable.

But ya know?

GTA is art

Saints Row is art

Video games in general are an art and form of media like writing, music, TV etc

You might play games to escape reality but not every game is gonna cater to that exactly and different games will tackle different subject matter in their own ways. Depending how well it works is on whoever is experiencing the material in question.

And like I said above also you have every right to be offended by GTA because it’s an offensive, bleak and mean game. It is not for everyone but I found it wonderful ....XD I liked all three main characters and their journey.

Saints Row most of all in these later games is very much like a very sureal and hyper parody of GTA.

And I do like fantasy and crazy games Saints Row just doesn't appeal to me, I don't find it that funny and I think it can be just stupid in places. Like in Saints Row 3 when The Saints are like a brand with energy drinks and toys and everything it just seems to far away from what I like in a crime story.

But is Saints Row bad?

No they are great games but they just don't appeal to me.

GTA has the slicker gameplay, better crime story and better characters for me.

I'm sorry if I didn't make any points or sounded dumb as I said I'm not a very good at debating things and stuff

Good comments! To be honest, I probably should've expected it when I got Grand Theft Auto V. I mean, the name itself should've been one big honking clue for starters. xD

Now that I think about it further, I think I may be taking the game way too seriously, more seriously than the game itself would take it seriously. I mean, yeah, it has the social commentary and satire, but isn't that part of the fun? Besides, it's not like we don't poke fun at other countries too, so GTA is their way of rubbing it back at us. Aaaand I do chime in a little myself, such as when I'm playing as Michael (or as I like to call him, "Default White Hero"). I remember saying out loud, right before chasing down some robbers, "Don't worry Los Santos! I, the Default White Male Hero, will save the day!" So it's a bit hypocritical of me to get all miffed and offended if I do a bit of ribbing myself by making commentary on movie stereotypes and clichés.

Plus, I like Los Santos. It's extremely detailed, beautiful to look at. I actually love tearing down the highway on a motorcycle (on the opposite lane no less.) or exploring the wilderness decked out in travel gear, etc. My only wishes are that they allowed players to gamble (c'mon, as if the setting didn't imply it enough) and at least one haunted mansion to poke fun at the Winchester Mansion.

Social commentary aside, I think I just didn't really know how dark GTA really was. I figured it would be like Saints Row, except not involving gang warfare. I mean if I could take Saints Row 2, I can handle Grand Theft Auto V. Boy, was I wrong.

So I guess this game was sort of a wake-up call for me. Not all games tread lightly around their audience. Some grab them by the collar and throw them into everything the game has, with the expressed intention of running them through the grinder. It's a good game, but it's the sort of game where, if you're not prepared, you will be shocked. And shocked me this game had, and I have respect for it.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Now I'm off to have Trevor attempt to fly a plane upside down inches above the surface of the water.

so maybe perhaps I feel like I'm doing something wrong whenever I play this game. After all, if you spent your life having authority figures telling you that a specific game, or a book, or a musical genre is bad, and you want to check it out, you might feel weird doing it.

Click to expand...

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I think you might enjoy taking a close look at what people have been saying is 'bad' and deciding for yourself. It's awful that it's affected your reception of art.

We don't know until we try (within reason; don't hit up the local crack dealer). You might be surprised. I mean, where would our culture be if everyone thought like that? The Sixties wouldn't even have happened!

Plus, I like Los Santos. It's extremely detailed, beautiful to look at. I actually love tearing down the highway on a motorcycle (on the opposite lane no less.) or exploring the wilderness decked out in travel gear, etc. My only wishes are that they allowed players to gamble (c'mon, as if the setting didn't imply it enough) and at least one haunted mansion to poke fun at the Winchester Mansion.

By gamble do you mean more stuff to do?

My friend it just takes exploration to find it all.

You can track down two serial killers in the game and solve the mysteries behind them

Bigfoot

UFO's are in the game and you can fly on top of them

There is a ghost somewhere in the mountains which is a victim of one of the killers in the mountains but it can only be seen at a certain time.

Then there is a Thelma and Louise scene that happens in the mountains everyday at a certain time like the ghost. Ya know? Where they drive off the cliff and you can stumble upon a reference to No Country for Old Men

I think you might enjoy taking a close look at what people have been saying is 'bad' and deciding for yourself. It's awful that it's affected your reception of art.

We don't know until we try (within reason; don't hit up the local crack dealer). You might be surprised. I mean, where would our culture be if everyone thought like that? The Sixties wouldn't even have happened!

Keep in mind that I was a little kid when they told me that. I wouldn't have bought Grand Theft Auto V and the Saints Row series if I listened to everything told to me.

By gamble do you mean more stuff to do?
My friend it just takes exploration to find it all.
You can track down two serial killers in the game and solve the mysteries behind them
Bigfoot
UFO's are in the game and you can fly on top of them
There is a ghost somewhere in the mountains which is a victim of one of the killers in the mountains but it can only be seen at a certain time.
Then there is a Thelma and Louise scene that happens in the mountains everyday at a certain time like the ghost. Ya know? Where they drive off the cliff and you can stumble upon a reference to No Country for Old Men
And those are just the things off the top of my head

And now I have reasons more to play this game. Will boot it up soon and explore. Trevor and Franklin have a bit more side missions (the little '?') left to do. Michael? I'm not sure if I'm finished with him or not, though. He hadn't done the cult thing yet.

I would not dis either Saints Row or GTA, but I like Saints a lot better. When I play a video game, I play it cause its in a new world, far different from our own. I dont like Rockstar games all that much personally. They are too cynical and crapsack for me. I know there is humor in GTA, but Saints is more light hearted I think. I mean...you take over a city by spraying raw sewage everywhere and throwing yourself in front of cars. Then you become the President of the United States and run around killing people while dubstep is playing. Then there is of course the customization options.

It is just my personal preference. I like my games to be very far fetched and light hearted.

I guess it all depends on what you're in the mood for. If you want a dark, gritty atmosphere, then GTA is for you. If you just want some lighthearted fun where you do whatever the heck you want to Classical music playing in your car or your radio, then Saints Row is for you.